Clause 2 - Membership of the Commission
Children Bill [Lords]
9:15 am
Mrs Margaret Hodge (Minister of State (Children), Department for Education and Skills; Barking, Labour)
You are absolutely correct, Mr. Benton. I will be happy to pursue that conversation with the hon. Gentleman outside the Committee if he shows an interest.
May I deal with the issue of vexatious complaints? One cannot assess what is a legitimate or a vexatious complaint until it has been made and considered. As hon. Members will be aware, if a complaint proves to be vexatious, it can be struck out during the complaints process or legal and judicial processes. There is no way of legislating to prevent vexatious complaints without intervening in the right of individuals to pursue complaints that could be
legitimate. In all instances, we are trying to find proper and appropriate support for professionals involved and to speed up the system so that distress and anxiety are mitigated as much as possible. It is difficult to balance the right of individuals to pursue complaints with the fact that a few individuals will abuse that right and pursue vexatious complaints.
I hope that the Government amendment can be agreed and the others can be left.
Question put, That the amendment be made:—
The Committee divided: Ayes 14, Noes 3.